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Parliamentary questions

Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.

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Parliamentary questions by Member are available from 01/07/2012

Questions and answers for all sittings

Page 1 of 69

Thu, 13 Jun 2024

written

National Minimum Wage

Bríd Smith

83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions the Government is considering in relation to the implementation of the adequate minimum wage Directive; if certain policy changes will be included (details supplied); the other policy changes being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25806/24]

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Wed, 12 Jun 2024

oral

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

3. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [23878/24]

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Wed, 12 Jun 2024

oral

Middle East

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent phone conversation with the Israeli President. [23879/24]

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Wed, 12 Jun 2024

oral

Departmental Programmes

Bríd Smith

19. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on the recently published national reform programme 2024. [23999/24]

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Wed, 12 Jun 2024

written

Middle East

Bríd Smith

46. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has any plans to provide extra supports to students from Gaza, in light of the awful situation they and their families have endured and continue to face in Palestine (details supplied); if he will take extra steps to further support these students; the measures he can take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25744/24]

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024

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Middle East

Bríd Smith

56. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that at least 11 Palestinian graduates who came here to study on ICOS/Department of Foreign Affairs-/Irish Aid-sponsored scholarships have recently received a letter (details supplied); if he agrees that this is a poor choice of options, given the situation in Palestine; the reason the option to secure a two-year graduate work visa is not given to these Palestinian graduates as it is to their fellow overseas graduates; if he will commit to ensuring that this option is now extended to these graduates as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25120/24]

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024

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Homeless Accommodation

Bríd Smith

247. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the Dublin Simon Community 100 bed health and addiction care facility located at Usher's Island, Dublin 8, if he can now confirm that the operational funding required will be in place before the opening of this critical and much needed development in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25118/24]

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024

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Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

253. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has read the communication from an organisation (details supplied) regarding the delay in signing the new Employment Regulation Order for security officers; if he acknowledges that security officers are some of the most poorly paid workers in the State and are struggling to pay their bills as a result; if he will commit to signing the ERO immediately ensuring that security workers are granted the increase they are entitled to; if he will confirm when this will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25528/24]

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024

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Disability Services

Bríd Smith

669. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the case of a child (details supplied) who has been diagnosed with autism, a global speech delay and a developmental delay by a psychiatrist who advises early intervention and access to a range of therapies; if he is aware that parents are being told that there is a five-year waiting list for these services; if he will outline his plans to address this unacceptable delay and a timeframe for ensuring timely access to these much needed services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25544/24]

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024

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Health Service Executive

Bríd Smith

735. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify if the HSE owns the land at a location (details supplied); if there are any future plans for the land when the hospital is fully built; if so, what it may be used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24919/24]

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Thu, 30 May 2024

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Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

143. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ retired workers have received no increase in their occupational pension since 2008; if the CIÉ board or management has discussed this or related pension issues with him or his Department officials; if increased funding of the CIÉ regular wages scheme by CIÉ has been considered to allow for a cost-of-living increase for these retired workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/24]

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Thu, 30 May 2024

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Bus Services

Bríd Smith

153. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the removal of a bus service (details supplied) and the considerable difficulties this causes for older and disabled people; to clarify if there are any plans to resume a service in the area; if not, the alternative arrangements being made to address this gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/24]

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Thu, 30 May 2024

written

Departmental Bodies

Bríd Smith

192. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will grant the request of retired members of staff of Ordnance Survey Ireland to attend OSI HQ in Phoenix Park on 21 June 2024 (details supplied) as part of the OSI's 200-year anniversary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24487/24]

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Wed, 29 May 2024

oral

Urban Development

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach what level of engagement his Department will have with the Dublin city centre task force. [23877/24]

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Wed, 29 May 2024

oral

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with defence will next meet. [21748/24]

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Wed, 29 May 2024

written

Schools Building Projects

Bríd Smith

92. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the status and expected starting time of works on the development of a new building for a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay with the project; if her Department has had talks with the builders or management at the school in relation to delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24375/24]

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Tue, 28 May 2024

written

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

73. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [24030/24]

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Tue, 28 May 2024

written

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

151. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of drivers directly employed by CIÉ tours; the number of drivers contracted by CIÉ tours to operate their services; the steps the company can take to ensure all drivers either directly employed or contracted abide by current regulations related to maximum working time driving and breaks and so on; if the NTA has any role in the implementation and enforcement of such regulations as they apply to transport sector and to the tourism sector specifically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23948/24]

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Tue, 28 May 2024

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Middle East

Bríd Smith

164. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline, given his powers to freeze, seize or otherwise impose restrictive measures on assets for the purpose of combating terrorism under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, and that the construction of settlements in the West Bank meets the definition of terrorist activity under that Act, as it is carried out with the intention of seriously destabilising or destroying the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a state or an international organisation, the measures he intends to impose to prevent the financing of organisations carrying out terrorist activity in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23622/24]

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Tue, 28 May 2024

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International Protection

Bríd Smith

401. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if plans to accommodate people seeking international protection at a location (details supplied) include the provision of transport services in order that they are not isolated and can access other amenities or appointments elsewhere; to list all other proposed services that will be provided to the residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23717/24]

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Thu, 23 May 2024

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Living Wage

Bríd Smith

70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is planning to delay the introduction of a living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23305/24]

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Thu, 23 May 2024

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Business Supports

Bríd Smith

89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is planning to issue grants to small and medium enterprises in the retail and hospitality sectors through the increased cost of business scheme based on their profitability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23307/24]

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Thu, 23 May 2024

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Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

93. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is planning to delay the expansion of the sick pay scheme to workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23306/24]

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Wed, 22 May 2024

oral

Foreign Conflicts

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [22697/24]

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Tue, 21 May 2024

oral

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

7. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [21747/24]

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Tue, 21 May 2024

written

Departmental Policies

Bríd Smith

132. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the findings of the 2024 UNFPA State of World Population Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22665/24]

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Tue, 21 May 2024

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Education Schemes

Bríd Smith

315. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the Inspire programme as an education support programme for vulnerable students (details supplied); if there are plans to extend this programme; the annual remuneration for an Inspire programme line manager; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22865/24]

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Thu, 16 May 2024

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National Security

Bríd Smith

27. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are any immediate military threats to Irish security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21889/24]

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Thu, 16 May 2024

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Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

29. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has received recent official requests from the European Commission to strengthen the Irish Defence Forces; if so, the reasons for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21890/24]

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Thu, 16 May 2024

oral

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

34. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific issues he has with the triple lock system that need to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21888/24]

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Wed, 15 May 2024

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Asylum Applications

Bríd Smith

82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of people refused permission to enter Ireland via inbound flight in the past 12 months who subsequently applied for international protection, by nationality of applicants and month; the number refused permission to enter Ireland who were actually turned back with the airline that brought them in, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22116/24]

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Wed, 15 May 2024

written

Asylum Applications

Bríd Smith

83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applications received in the past 12 months, by nationality of applicants and month, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22117/24]

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Wed, 15 May 2024

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Asylum Applications

Bríd Smith

84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice how many people were granted refugee status, subsidiary protection and permission to remain the country in the past twelve months, by month, type of status granted and nationality, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22118/24]

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Wed, 15 May 2024

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Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

96. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 91 and 92 of 30 April 2024, if he is aware that the proposed draft childminding regulations represent a further bureaucratisation of a system that is already onerous for parents and service providers; if he is aware that childminders are reporting that these regulations are too extreme and will drive many of them out of childminding, creating a further dearth of places for parents already facing difficulties in securing care for their children; if he will scrap the current draft proposals with a view to consulting with and listening to childminders and parents’ concerns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21964/24]

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Tue, 14 May 2024

oral

European Council

Bríd Smith

4. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [20465/24]

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Tue, 14 May 2024

oral

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

16. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with the President of the European Commission. [21746/24]

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Tue, 14 May 2024

written

Visa Applications

Bríd Smith

462. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been forcibly displaced four times in Gaza after the building in which they lived was completely destroyed and whose parents and siblings in Ireland are desperate for the person to join them; if she and her Government colleagues will implement special measures in fast-tracking visa applications, similar to the fast-tracking of visa applications for Ukrainian refugees, for Palestinians who urgently want to join family here; if she will expedite the person’s visa application as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21623/24]

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Wed, 8 May 2024

oral

Departmental Programmes

Bríd Smith

26. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the child poverty and well-being programme office. [20463/24]

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Wed, 8 May 2024

oral

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

36. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent conversation with the British Prime Minister. [20464/24]

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Wed, 8 May 2024

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Residential Institutions

Bríd Smith

195. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if, in belated recognition of the second interim report (section 5.14) and the final report (recommendations, page 5) as emphatic recommendations of the MBHCI, that former residents of the Westbank Orphanage in Greystones, County Wicklow, be included in the residential institutions redress scheme as an urgent matter of justice, fairness and healing for those affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20376/24]

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Thu, 2 May 2024

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Vacant Properties

Bríd Smith

177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a potential gap in the criteria in relation to the vacant/derelict property grant (details supplied); if he will investigate a case involving the protection and incorporation of a deteriorating 160 year old protected structure into a new dwelling with a view to the overturning a refusal of a vacant property grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19991/24]

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Thu, 2 May 2024

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Hospital Services

Bríd Smith

278. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health where on the campus of Cherry Orchard hospital the new coronary care unit will be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19977/24]

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Thu, 2 May 2024

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Hospital Services

Bríd Smith

279. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if she will assure the families of residents on both willow and sycamore units in Cherry Orchard hospital, that neither unit will be used to facilitate a new service, other than its prior use as a nursing home care facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19978/24]

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Thu, 2 May 2024

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Hospital Services

Bríd Smith

280. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the person or body that is currently undertaking the ongoing risk assessments of the 16 remaining residents’ rooms in Cherry Orchard hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19979/24]

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Thu, 2 May 2024

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Hospital Services

Bríd Smith

281. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health to confirm the qualifications of the ongoing risk assessors to carry out this task with regard to health and safety; if the assessor also has another role at Cherry Orchard hospital in addition to their role of risk assessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19980/24]

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Wed, 1 May 2024

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Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

171. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm where the legislation for the establishment of defects scheme for apartments and duplexes is currently at and to confirm when the draft legislation will be published; when he believes that OMCs will be able to apply for and receive funding for permanent remediation of defects; if he will commit to passing the legislation before the budget and if so, if he will clarify what financial allocation will be required for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19589/24]

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Tue, 30 Apr 2024

oral

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

91. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline his plans to increase childcare places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19265/24]

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Tue, 30 Apr 2024

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Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

92. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will establish a publicly owned childcare service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19266/24]

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Tue, 30 Apr 2024

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Early Childhood Care and Education

Bríd Smith

103. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will abolish childcare fees in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19267/24]

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Tue, 30 Apr 2024

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International Protection

Bríd Smith

113. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline his accommodation plans for international protection applicant refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19263/24]

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